Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy asked a number of important questions. On whether a public pay deal is certain, the answer is certainly not. The Haddington Road agreement was far from certain and, as the Deputy knows, its first iteration was rejected and we had to go again. I hope I can secure an agreement and that we can have an organised approach to restoring pay to the public service. Those working in it have not had a pay rise for seven years and those earning over €65,000 have had three reductions in pay. They have made a significant contribution to achieving the fiscal targets and restoring the good fortunes of the State.

In terms of my priorities, I want to first get agreement at Government level and have an open discussion with the public sector unions. I have already met the recently formed organisation of all public sector pensioners, the first time there has been one co-ordinated group. It will not be left out and I have made a commitment in terms of any pay deal. Pay and pensions will be addressed in parallel.

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